Having a BMX specific shop in any city can do wonders for a local BMX scene. Cameron Wood knows this all too well and set out to make it happen for Salt Lake City, Utah. He had a vision and goal and set out to achieve it. With hard work, dedication and some help from friends and family he got the shop up and running and since day one it has been playing a vital role in helping to build the SLC scene. It also has been providing a place for the local kids to come hang out, get to know each other, keep up on what’s new and just experience BMX which in turn helps the scene grow. Cam isn’t trying to make a ton of money or have a shop just to have it. He really truly believes in BMX and believes in supporting his scene and giving back as much as he can and anyone can appreciate that. I am on a trip out in Salt Lake City at the moment and sat down with Cam, cracked a few beers and fired off some questions for him. Take a minute to get to know a little bit about The Wood Shop and enjoy.
After you check out the interview, make sure you check out more photos of the shop in this PHOTOGALLERY.
First off, why don’t you fill everyone in on a little info about yourself like your name, age and hometown?
“What’s up everybody? My name is Cameron Wood, I am 27 years old and I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.”
It seems like a lot of riders have a dream of someday opening their own shop but few make it a reality. How did you bridge that gap?
“I guess I really just went after my dreams. I was real motivated to get a shop open because there wasn’t a BMX specific shop here in Salt Lake City. It’s the best thing I have done.”
What was your main motivation for opening the shop?
“There is nothing wrong with the way anyone looks at BMX but I have my own opinions and know the way that I want things to work. I want to help BMX grow in the way that I want to help it grow. The big motivation for me was to do it the way that I wanted to do it.”
Exactly when did the shop open?
“The Woodshop officially opened on September 5th 2011. We just recently passed our one year anniversary.”
Did you do it all on your own or did you have financial support from an outside source?
“I did it on my own without any financial backing. I think I saved $3,000 and I think that’s what I started the shop with was about $3,000. By the time I got to opening day of the shop I was already paying rent for the place. So, the first month I opened I had $600 to pay rent and I had zero dollars for the next months rent and somehow came up with $600 the first month to pay my rent and utilities.”
Seeing as how there is no shortage of riders within the BMX scene in Salt Lake City, how has the response been to the shop?
“So far it’s been pretty good. I am really trying to just make this place a happy, positive atmosphere and a place where kids want to come hang out and feel safe and have it feel like a home.”
Helping bring the scene together is something any rider can appreciate so props to you on that
I noticed it says “BMX’ers supporting BMX’ers” on your website. How important is it to you to give back to BMX and keep the cycle going?
“I think that’s the most important thing is to keep BMX in the hands of BMX’ers. I think kids sometimes forget to see the big picture. If you want to be involved in riding BMX the rest of your life you really gotta’ give back to those companies that are rider-owned and self-made.”
What kind of products do you currently carry?
“Right now I try to carry at least 75% of American Made products. I carry S&M, Fit, Terrible One, Volume, Demolition, and Animal. Basically, I carry a lot of the brands that the homies around here ride for. I am also working on getting in some products from Éclat, Wethpeople and a few others.”
On your blog you talk about an upcoming Halloween Jam that you are putting on. What kind of events have you put on at the shop and how often?
“With the shop we have just done a few ghetto jams out back with some ramps and we have had a few trail jams. This upcoming Halloween we are going to have a pretty sweet contest at my Uncles skating rink. It’s basically just an old cement bowl snake run. We are gonna’ also set up some ramps and get rad. I try to put on events as often as I can. It’s really the main thing that brings people together.”
How’s business? And realistically how is it trying to run a BMX specific shop these days?
“It’s been doing pretty good so far. There are definitely high’s and lows. You might have a real good day or a real bad day. Running a BMX specific shop is hard because I am limiting myself customer wise and that is money that I am losing out on but I would rather not make that money and stay loyal to what I believe. It goes back to keeping BMX in the hands of BMX’ers.”
Who else works at the shop?
“When I first got the shop rolling my friends Ricky and Greg helped me get it going in the beginning. Beringer has given me a hand, Elf has helped out and I just hired my buddy Killa’ Cam Jr. and I think he will be a good asset to the scene.”
It’s not hard to notice that all of your fixtures, shelves and racks are all custom made. Give the readers some background on your experience with wood working and how important is it to you to maintain that DIY spirit?
“As far as the woodworking goes I did that before I opened the shop. I always really wanted to be an artist and painter. I started painting a bit on wood a little bit and messing around with different stuff then I just realized that woodworking is what I wanted to do. My DIY spirit comes from my Dad. He showed me out to make something out of nothing. You have to find what works for you in this world and go with it.”
Well, I am sure that you haven’t gotten to where you are without the support of some good friends and people that believe in what you are doing. Why don’t you go ahead and use this spot to thank some people.
“First off I would like to thank my new baby girl Eleanor. She is definitely becoming my new world and it’s going to be cool to add her to the BMX family. Also I need to thank my wife. She keeps me from going off the deep end. Without her I wouldn’t be in a good position and spot in my life to be doing the things that I do. She keeps me on track. And all of the friends that I have around me definitely are the biggest influence on me. Thanks to Elf, Mike, Matt, Greg and the whole Salt Lake crew that I ride with on the regular. Also my buddy Chuck, and everyone else who has helped me get to this point. Chris Moeller, Rob Dolecki, and Steve Crandall for helping me get to experience this life in a super cool manor. I’d also like to thank all of the riders that the BMX community has lost recently especially Mike Tag.”
If you are ever in the Salt Lake City area be sure to stop by and tell Cam that we sent you. It’s a rad place to get your bike dialed in, chill, play some Nintendo, watch an old classic video, kick back with the homies and talk BMX. Help riders everywhere like Cam keep BMX in the hands of BMX’ers and support your local shop.
The Wood Shop
2212 South, West Temple Suite #104
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115
Phone: (801) 520.9291
www.thewoodshopbmx.com
Store Hours:
W-F 11AM-6PM
SAT 11AM-6PM
SUN- Closed
CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS OF THE SHOP IN THIS PHOTOGALLERY
Hope you enjoyed this week’s feature and stay tuned to see who placed in the top three for the newest Quintin contest. The Quintin team is reviewing the photos and they will be picking the winners soon. And be sure to check back next Wednesday for the thirty-third edition of Through the Lens and as always feel free to leave any questions in the comments section or email me at info@jeremypavia.com and I will hit you back as soon as I can. Feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @jeremypavia.
